CMC Networks has announced the appointment of Mahesh Jaishankar as its new Managing Director. He will lead the company's strategy to expand its AI-powered connectivity solutions and on-the-ground expertise across Africa and the Middle East.

• Jaishankar succeeds Marisa Trisolino, who served as CEO until her departure in April 2025.
• He brings over 25 years of experience in building and scaling advanced digital infrastructure businesses, including an advisory role at Arthur D. Little and serving as Head of Strategic Negotiations, GNA at Google.
• Jaishankar was instrumental in the launch and growth of datamena as a global digital hub during his time at du.
• The appointment follows center3's acquisition of CMC Networks in June 2024.

Verto, a payments platform, has launched Atlas, a new suite of API-first tools designed to simplify cross-border payments for businesses operating across Africa. These tools aim to address challenges like differing regulations, volatile currencies, and fragmented banking systems that hinder the growth of digital businesses on the continent.

• Atlas offers a single API integration for banking, foreign exchange (FX), and payments, enabling businesses to embed global financial services into their own products.
• Ola Oyetayo, CEO and Co-founder of Verto, stated that Atlas is a transformative solution to accelerate growth by eliminating hurdles businesses face in scaling operations across borders.
• The Atlas Suite includes offerings such as Atlas for Fintechs (multi-currency accounts, international payments in 12+ African markets and 100+ countries), Atlas for Platforms (embedded payment and FX tools for non-financial businesses), and White Label Broker Services.
• Triply, a Kenyan travel-tech company, is an early adopter, integrating Atlas to offer embedded payment solutions to its clients across Africa.

South African fintech company, Float, a card-linked instalment platform, has successfully raised $2.6 million (R46 million) in funding. This capital injection will support local growth acceleration and facilitate expansion into new markets.

• Float secured $2.6 million (R46 million) in funding.
• The funding round was co-led by Invenfin and SAAD Investment Holdings.
• Float differentiates itself by focusing on optimizing existing credit cards for consumers, rather than issuing new lines of credit.
• Alex Forsyth-Thompson, Float's Founder and CEO, emphasized the funding as a vote of confidence in their approach to responsible credit usage.